He imposed an extended 12 month licence on Ferris, who will have to serve half the term before he can apply to the parole board and he may have to serve even longer behind bars. He ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Jonathan Duffy, defending, said that Ferris had kept his offending behaviour from his family and they had been shocked when they found out. He appreciated he would receive a long sentence and asked the judge to bear in mind his age.

Friends and family in the public gallery told Ferris “be strong” as he was led to the cells.